Protective cover module for lens

ABSTRACT

A protective cover module includes a housing, a first positioning element, a second positioning element, and a plate. The housing defines a receiving hole. The second positioning element attaches to the housing and attracts the first positioning element positioning element by magnetic force. The plate slidably attaches to the housing, and configured to mount the first positioning element and cover the receiving hole.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to device protection, and particularlyto a protective cover module for a lens used in a portable electronicdevice.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable electronic devices providing a camera function are widely used.The camera, though, is often exposed to dust and water, the effects ofwhich can decrease the device's lifetime.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the protective cover module.Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of aportable electronic device with a protective cover module;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of the portable electronic deviceshowing in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the portable electronic device of FIG. 3along IV-IV line;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but show the cover module in a closedstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a lens cover module 10 used in aportable electronic device 100 such as a cellular phone or anyelectronic device. The portable electronic device 100 has a lens 20. Theprotective cover module 10 covers and protects the lens 20.

The protective cover module 10 includes a plate 11 for covering the lens20, a first positioning element 13 mounted on the plate 11, a secondpositioning element 15 attached to the first positioning element 13, anda housing 17. The plate 11 is slidably mounted on the housing 17 andselectively covers or exposes the lens 20. The plate 11 defines anaperture 111 therein to receive the first positioning element 13. Twospaced hooks 113 extend upwards from plate 11 adjacent to the slot 13.Each hook 113 has a resisting protrusion 1131 of elastic material at adistal end thereof. The first positioning element 13 is an approximatelyrectangular plate of magnetic material. The second positioning element15 is an approximately rectangular plate, and may be attracted by thefirst positioning element 13 by magnetic force. In this exemplaryembodiment, the second positioning element 15 is iron. The secondpositioning element 15 defines a through hole 151 in a middle area andforms a first positioning portion 1531 and a second positioning portion1533 at two sides of the through hole 151.

The housing 17 includes a base plate 171 and a sidewall 173 surroundingthe base plate 171. The base plate 171 and the sidewall 173cooperatively surround a cavity 172. The base plate 171 defines areceiving hole 1711 therein through which light can enter housing 17 andreach lens 20. The base plate 171 defines a receiving groove 177adjacent to the receiving hole 1711 and forms a block 1771 in thereceiving groove 177. The block 1771 is received in the through hole 151such that the second positioning element 15 is attached to the housing17. In the exemplary embodiment, the size and shape of the block 1771 isapproximately the same as the size and shape of the first positioningelement 13. Thus, when the first positioning element 13 faces the block1771, little magnetic attraction occurs between the first positioningelement 13 and the second positioning element 15. The base plate 171defines two spaced slots 1773, one at each side of the receiving groove177. The slots 1773 can accommodate the hooks 113 of the plate 11.

FIG. 2 shows the portable electronic device 100 from another aspect,wherein housing 17 defines a recess 175 therein to receive the plate 11.The recess 175 communicates with the receiving hole 1711 and the slots1773. The length of the recess 175 is substantially the same shape asthe plate 11 so that the plate 11 can cover or expose the receiving hole1711 selectively.

During assembly of the portable electronic device 100, the firstpositioning element _([A1]) 13 is received in the aperture 111 and thefirst positioning element 13 fixed in the plate 11. In this exemplaryembodiment, the first positioning element 13 and the plate 11 areattached by, e.g., welding. Then, the plate 11 having the firstpositioning element 13 is mounted on the housing 17 by the resistingprotrusions 1131 being received in the corresponding receiving grooves177. After assembly, the plate 11 can slide along the receiving grooves177 and the resisting protrusions 1131 resists the base plate 171. Thesecond positioning element 15 is located and fixed on the housing 17 bythe engagement of the block 1771 and the through hole 151. Finally, lens20 and receiving hole 1711 are aligned, and lens 20 fixed on the housing17. Assembly of portable electronic device 100 is complete, as shown inFIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in use, plate 11 is slid away from receivinghole 1711. Magnetic force between the first positioning element 13 andthe second positioning element 15 moves the plate 11 until the plateresists the housing 17, whereby the receiving hole 1711 is exposed toadmit light through lens 20. At the same time, magnetic force betweenthe first positioning element 13 and the first portion 1531 of thesecond positioning element 15 maintain the plate 11 on the housing 17.

After use, plate 11 is slid towards receiving hole 1711. Magnetic forcebetween the first positioning element 13 and the second positioningportion 153 of the second positioning element 15 moves the plate 11 toresist the housing 17, whereby receiving hole 1711 is covered and lens20 protected.

It is notable that one of the positioning elements 13, 15 may be of softmagnetic material, and that plate 11 is not limited to covering thereceiving hole 1711 to protect the lens 20, but can be configured to actas a connector or the like. Additionally, the number of hooks 113 andslots 1773 can be less or more than two.

The portable electronic device 100 is easy to use via magnetic forcebetween the positioning elements 13, 15. As well, location of plate 11by magnetic force increases lifetime of the device 100.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclose or sacrificing all of its material advantages,the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplaryembodiments of the disclose.

1. A protective cover module comprising: a housing defining a receivinghole; a first positioning element; a second positioning element attachedto the housing and attracted to the first positioning element bymagnetic force; a plate slidably attached to the housing and formounting the first positioning element and cover the receiving hole. 2.The protective cover module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housingdefines a recess in which the plate is slidably received to cover orexpose the receiving hole.
 3. The protective cover module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the housing defines at least one receiving slottherein, and the plate forms at least one hook, slidably received in thecorresponding slot.
 4. The protective cover module as claimed in claim3, wherein he at least one hook forms a resisting protrusion of elasticmaterial, resisting the housing.
 5. The protective cover module asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the second positioning element defines athrough hole and the housing forms a receiving groove and a block;wherein the second positioning element is received in the receivinggroove, and the block received in the through hole.
 6. The protectivecover module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the size and shape of thefirst positioning element is approximately the same size and shape asthe block.
 7. A protective cover module comprising: a housing defining areceiving hole; a plate slidably attached to the housing; a firstpositioning element attached to the plate; a second positioning elementincluding a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion;wherein the first positioning element selectively attracts the firstpositioning portion or the second positioning portion to expose or coverthe receiving hole.
 8. The protective cover module as claimed in claim1, wherein the housing defines a recess longer than the plate, in whichthe plate is slidably received.
 9. The protective cover module asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the housing defines at least one receivingslot therein, and the plate forms at least one hook, slidably receivedin the corresponding slot.
 10. The protective cover module as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the at least one hook forms a resisting protrusion ofelastic material, resisting the housing.
 11. The protective cover moduleas claimed in claim 7, wherein the second positioning element defines athrough hole and the housing forms a receiving groove and a block,wherein the second positioning element is received in the receivinggroove and the block received in the through hole.